Thursday, March 28, 2024

Team drops 2nd game in split, 3-1

April 11, 2005

Once again, the offense ran dry for the MSU softball team.

After partaking in the fifth-longest game in MSU softball history, a 2-1, 13-inning win in the first game of the doubleheader, the Spartans left seven runners on base in the second game as they fell to Penn State, 3-1, Sunday afternoon at Old College Field.

"That first game was really a doubleheader in itself," MSU head coach Jacquie Joseph said. "We were a little out of gas mentally. They just showed a little bit more resolve in game two than we did."

In the second game, MSU (13-21-1 overall, 4-4 Big Ten) had a chance to open the scoring in the first inning, with two runners on and two outs, but MSU junior first base Elizabeth Peterson lined out to first base to end the threat.

"We had an opportunity to put the game away in the first inning," Joseph said. "But we didn't take it."

Penn State (23-14, 3-3) had a similar opportunity in the bottom of the second inning with two runners on and two outs, but Penn State left fielder Jen Williams fouled out to the shortstop to end the inning.

The third inning featured all the game's offense, with the Spartans jumping ahead in the top of the inning.

MSU senior left fielder Victoria Morache started off the inning with an infield single and was advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by freshman center fielder Nikki Nicosia.

Then, the hero of the first game, MSU freshman catcher Caitlin Mahoney, singled through the hole at second base, scoring Morache and giving MSU a 1-0 lead. Mahoney advanced to second on the throw.

The hit extended Mahoney's hitting streak to eight games.

"She is developing right on schedule and I expect her to continue to develop," Joseph said.

The Nittany Lions were able to respond in the bottom of the inning, as Penn State shortstop Jen Acunto took MSU freshman Lesley Noel's pitch over the leftfield fence to tie the game.

After Penn State right fielder Meghan Wolfer grounded out to the pitcher, Penn State put two runners on base before Penn State catcher Jenn Reynolds singled them both home to put the Nittany Lions ahead, 3-1. The runs came unearned off Noel, as Penn State was aided by an error by sophomore Meghan Darhower, who plays third base.

MSU put two runners on in the fifth inning with one out, but two consecutive groundouts ending it.

In the top of the seventh, MSU had the tying run on base, but, again, two consecutive groundouts ended the game, giving Penn State the 3-1 win.

MSU scored only three runs in 20 innings of play on the day.

Reynolds picked up the win for Penn State, pitching the final four innings, giving up only one hit, striking out two and walking one.

Noel took the loss for MSU, pitching 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on eight hits with one strikeout.

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